Girgashites גִּרְגָּשִׁי
A Canaanite people group living in the Promised Land.
Who is Girgashites in the Bible?
The Girgashites were a Canaanite people group descended from Canaan, the son of Ham, first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 and 1 Chronicles 1:14. God identified them as one of the nations occupying the land promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15:21), and they were among the peoples the Israelites were commanded to dispossess when entering Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 3:10). The Girgashites appear in later historical recollections of Israel's conquest, such as Joshua 24:11 and Nehemiah 9:8, serving as witnesses to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to give the land to Abraham's descendants. The Bible provides no specific details about their culture, religion, or precise location within Canaan, making them one of the less-documented Canaanite groups in Scripture.
Biography
The Girgashites were a Canaanite people group mentioned several times in the Old Testament. They are first listed in Gen.10.16 and 1Ch.1.14 as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. In God's covenant with Abraham, the Girgashites are named as one of the groups inhabiting the land that would be given to Abraham's descendants (Gen.15.21). When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the Girgashites were among the peoples they were instructed to dispossess (Deu.7.1; Jos.3.10). The Girgashites are mentioned again in Jos.24.11 and Neh.9.8, recounting God's faithfulness in giving the land to Israel as promised. The Bible does not provide any details about their culture, religion, or exact location within Canaan.
Family
Siblings
- Sidon Early PatriarchSon of CanaanFirstborn son of Canaan, ancestor of the Sidonians.View full profile →
- Heth Early PatriarchSon of CanaanSon of Canaan and ancestor of the Hittites.View full profile →
- Jebusites Early PatriarchCanaanite tribeCanaanite tribe inhabiting Jerusalem before David's conquestView full profile →
- Amorites Early PatriarchCanaanitesCanaanite people group, enemies of IsraelView full profile →
- Hivites Early PatriarchCanaanitesA Canaanite people group.View full profile →
- Arkites Early PatriarchCanaanitesCanaanite people group descended from CanaanView full profile →
- Sinites Early PatriarchCanaanitesCanaanite people group descended from Canaan.View full profile →
- Arvadites Early PatriarchCanaanitesCanaanite descendants of Canaan, son of HamView full profile →
- Zemarites Early PatriarchCanaanitesCanaanite people groupView full profile →
- Hamathites Early PatriarchCanaanitesA Canaanite people group descended from Canaan.View full profile →
In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 4 with study contentGenesis 2 verses
- Genesis 10:16
"the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 15:21
"Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.”"
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Deuteronomy 1 verse
- Deuteronomy 7:1
"When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you—"
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Joshua 2 verses
- Joshua 3:10
"He continued, “This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that He will surely drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites."
Study Joshua → - Joshua 24:11
"After this, you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. The people of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I delivered them into your hand."
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1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:14
"the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,"
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 9:8
"You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Hebrew | גִּרְגָּשִׁי | a Girgashite , one of the native tribes of Canaan |
| LXX addition | Hebrew | Γεργεσί | a Girgashite , one of the native tribes of Canaan |